The Chicago Bears have officially named head coach Matt Silkowski of Lincoln Community High School in Lincoln, Ill., as team’s High School Coach of the Week and The honor is presented by Athletico Physical Therapy. In support of these initiatives, the Bears will make a $2,000 donation to the Lincoln Community football program
On Sept. 29, head coach Matt Silkowski guided his team, the Lincoln Railsplitters (5-1), to a hard-fought 41-28 home conference victory against the Jacksonville Crimsons (2-4) on Friday night, marking the Railsplitters’ first playoff eligibility since 1984. In the 38 seasons since the 1984 playoffs, the Railsplitters faced significant challenges, with a 70-260 overall record and only one winning season in 1985 (5-4). Coach Silkowski, the 12th coach since the last Railspliters’ playoff appearance, took over the Lincoln Community football program in 2016 with the goal of guiding the football program back to the playoffs and preparing his players for life beyond high school. In addition to coaching, Silkowski also serves as a physical education, health and driver’s education teacher at the school. Prior to joining Lincoln Community, Silkowski served as a football assistant coach and assistant track and field coach at Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Flossmoor, Ill., for two seasons. The Railsplitters are now gearing up to face their undefeated conference rival, the Rochester Rockets (6-0), on Friday night, Oct. 6.
Bears news release
The above story is from the Chicago Bears
About “Coach of the Week” & “High School All-Star”
The Chicago Bears Coach of the Week program was launched in 1996 and High School All-Star program in 2011. The Coach of the Week program honors outstanding Illinois high school coaches who develop players’ football skills and knowledge, character, leadership, discipline and teamwork abilities. The nomination criteria for the High School All-Star program includes on-field performance, community involvement and good sportsmanship. Exceptional high school coaches and players who go beyond expectations are nominated by a panel of local high school sports journalists. The winning candidates are chosen each week from Aug. 25th to Oct. 21st. Since the program’s inception, the Bears have donated more than $369,000 to Illinois high schools in support of their football programs. For more information, please visit ChicagoBears.com/Community/High-School-Football.
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2023 Chicago Bears HS Coach of the Week Winners
Week 5 – George Klupchak, Maine West HS
Week 4 – Jeff Boyer – Byron HS
Week 3 – Colton Nero – Amos Alonzo Stagg HS
Week 2 – Adam Chavez, West Chicago HS
Week 1 – Terry Maxwell, Seneca HS
